Poll: 9 in 10 B.C. Residents Say Film & TV Production Delivers Good Jobs and Economic Benefits
New province-wide survey finds broad public support for B.C.’s film and television industry, the jobs it creates, and continued government investment to keep it competitive.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – B.C. residents overwhelmingly support the province’s film and television sector, according to a new poll by Abacus Data. They see it as a province-wide source of good middle-class jobs and want government to continue investing in its competitiveness.
- People in B.C. recognize that film and television production is vital to the province’s economy. Roughly nine in ten value the good-paying jobs, support for vendors in B.C., creative careers and investment reputation the industry brings. Support for more production nearby is strong and consistent across the province at 89% overall, never dropping below 87% in any region, and reaching 92% on Vancouver Island.
- There is strong support for protecting and growing the industry, and B.C. residents understand what’s at stake if production leaves. Most see attracting productions as critical to workers’ livelihoods (82%) and to a healthy future economy (79%), and a vast majority want B.C.’s competitive advantage strengthened and production increased (89%). A decline in film and television production is widely expected to hurt the provincial economy, regional jobs and local businesses (89%) and most B.C. residents want to see the industry grow (84%), citing local jobs and creative opportunities as the key reasons.
- B.C. residents see a clear role for government in keeping the province competitive and protecting film and TV jobs, with strong support for policies and incentives that encourage production. Responsibility is seen as resting mainly with the provincial government, though many view it as shared with Ottawa. Three out of five (61%) British Columbians would be more likely to vote for a provincial candidate committed to protecting and growing film and television jobs. Even when weighed against potential government savings, six in ten favour protecting industry support.
QUOTES
“British Columbians clearly understand the economic impact of the film, television and streaming sector and overwhelmingly support it. Across the province, people understand that a competitive production sector benefits everyone, not just the people who work on set, but the local businesses, tradespeople, and communities that depend on this industry. As other jurisdictions compete aggressively for the same productions, this data sends a clear message to government that continued investment in B.C.’s competitiveness isn’t just good policy, it’s what the public wants.”
–Michele Austin, President and Managing Director of MPA-Canada
“These poll results confirm what we see on set, in studios and on location every day: film and television production creates thousands of skilled, well-paying jobs across BC, generating spin-off benefits for local businesses and attracting investment from around the world. Government and industry have collectively invested in a production industry in BC that meets the highest global standards. B.C. residents clearly value and wish to protect what we have built together.”
– Gemma Martini, Chair of Screen BC
“Film and television is a skilled-trades workforce of artists and technicians who built their careers here. Every competing jurisdiction is courting this business, and in the current climate, policy decides whether our crews work or watch that work leave. British Columbians take pride in this industry, and they’ve made clear they expect government to act.”
– Crystal Braunwarth, Business Representative, IATSE Local 891 (British Columbia)
Methodology: Abacus Data surveyed 2,000 B.C. adults online, August 12–22, 2026 (comparable margin of error +/-2.2%, 19/20). Data was weighted to B.C.’s population by age, gender, educational attainment, and region. Full report can be found HERE.
About Motion Picture Association – Canada (MPA-Canada)
The Motion Picture Association – Canada (MPA-Canada) is the voice and advocate of the major international producers and distributors of movies, television and streaming programming in Canada and is an affiliate of the Motion Picture Association, Inc. (MPA).
Through the production of long-running television series, feature films, and world-class post-production, visual effects, and animation projects, the global studios we serve – including Disney, Netflix, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, Paramount, Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal, and Warner Bros. Discovery (“MPA Studios”) – make substantial investments in Canada. These services provide a wide range of entertainment choices to Canadians through a variety of services offering subscription video-on-demand, ad-supported video-on-demand, hybrid services offering both, and free ad-supported television.
On behalf of the MPA Studios, we work with governments and local industry partners to support initiatives that strengthen the film, television and streaming industry in Canada. Charles Rivkin is the Chairman and CEO of the MPA and Michele Austin is the President and Managing Director of MPA-Canada.
-30-
Media Contact:
Matthew Wilson
Communications Manager
Motion Picture Association – Canada
